NEWTON COUNTY, Missouri – A seriously injured baby in Missouri left the hospital after his mother’s ex-boyfriend admitted to “bear-hugging” the baby after a fall.

Bessie Burbridge of Newton County said last month she was home with her 10-month-old son, Waylon, and her then-boyfriend, Jordan.

Burbridge said she had placed the baby in a bouncer while she used the bathroom.

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“I was alone in the bathroom for maybe a minute tops, and Jordan came in screaming with him (Waylon) on his arm,” he told FOX Television Stations. “He was completely limp and not breathing.”

Burbridge said he called 911 and tried to administer CPR. First responders arrived and took Waylon to the hospital.

Local authorities intervened and interviewed Jordan, according to Burbridge.

Waylon, 10 months, is recovering from serious brain injuries after his mother’s boyfriend admitted he had “bear hugged” him. (Credit: Bessie Burbridge)

Burbridge said her ex-boyfriend told authorities she was throwing Waylon into the air as a joke. However, he failed to catch the baby the second time and Waylon fell to the ground.

Burbridge said Jordan confessed that “He (Waylon) fell to the ground and that made him scream more than (Jordan) held him until he stopped crying.”

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However, doctors and investigators believe Waylon suffered from shaken baby syndrome, which can lead to serious brain injury. according to the mayo clinic.

“I’ve known Jordan for about four years,” Burbridge added. “I never thought he could do something like this.”

The mother said her son suffered serious injuries to the brain and other areas. She said her son now suffers from limited vision, seizures and muscle stiffness, which could possibly leave him in physical therapy for the rest of his life.

“It’s definitely been a rollercoaster of emotions,” he said.

However, he said Waylon beat all odds and recovered more than doctors had anticipated. He said Waylon has regained mobility.

“He’s been proving them wrong every step of the way,” he continued.

Burbridge said her ex-boyfriend is now behind bars on child abuse charges. He also said he had filed a restraining order against him.

Meanwhile, she has created a GoFundMe page to help with expenses.

“I feel like Whalen’s stories should be available,” he said.

FOX Television Stations has reached out to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office for comment.